Mechanical gripper frame unit lifting devices for parallel-walled containers or the like

ABSTRACT

A mechanical gripper frame unit for devices utilized for lifting parallel-walled containers or the like is disclosed. The novel frame unit or apparatus includes two pairs of rotary locking means disposed thereon for gripping the containers at the upper corners thereof. The longitudinal displacement of the pairs of rotary locking means so as to account for different lengths of containers to be lifted is adjustable by displacing each of the rotary locking mean pairs upon a support frame. When the pairs of rotary locking means have reached their desired spaced-apart distance, the rotary locking mechanism thereof is automatically controlled so as to grip the upper corners of the containers. A particularly novel feature of the instant invention concerns the fact that a common drive element serves for both longitudinally displacing the rotary locking mean pairs and for subsequently and automatically causing rotation of the locking mean pairs at their proper location to effect gripping of the container. In this manner, simplication of the lifting apparatus is obtained as is increased efficiency and safety in the handling of the containers to be lifted.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Robert Levert;

Roger Poupon; Robert Rousse. all of Paris. France [2|] Appl.No. 815.8511 [22] Filed Apr. 14. I969 [45} Patented Aug-3,1971 [73] Assignee Matisa Material industrial SA.

Crissier, Switzerland [54] MECHANICAL GRIPPER FRAME UNIT LTFTING DEVICES FOR PARALLEL-WALLET) CONTAINERS OR THE LIKE 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 294/67 DA, 294/8l R [51] Int. Cl B662 1/00 [50] Field of Search 294/67, 67.2 C 674. 67.4 A. 8|, 81 SF, 63

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.l0l,967 8/l963 Wyrough 294/67 2,625,424 l/l953 Hyman 294/63 X 3.424.488 l/l969 Renfroe 294/67 3,458,229 7/l969 Nagy et al ABSTRACT: A mechanical gripper frame unit for devices utilized for lifting parallel-walled containers or the like is disclosed. The novel frame unit or apparatus includes two pairs of rotary locking means disposed thereon for gripping the containers at the upper corners thereof The longitudinal displacement of the pairs of rotary locking means so as to account for different lengths of containers to be lifted is adjustable by displacing each of the rotary locking mean pairs upon a support frame. When the pairs of rotary locking means have reached their desired spaced-apart distance, the rotary locking mechanism thereofis automatically controlled so as to grip the upper corners of the containers. A particularly novel feature of the instant invention concerns the fact that a common drive element serves for both longitudinally displacing the rotary locking mean pairs and for subsequently and automatically causing rotation of the loclking mean pairs at their proper location to effect gripping of the container. in this manner, simplication of the lifting apparatus is obtained as is increased efficiency and safety in the handling of the containers to be lifted.

PATENTEB we 349m INVENTORS ROBERT LEVERT ROGER POUPON ROBERT ROUSSE ATTORNEYS parallel-walled containers or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The instant invention generally relates to lifting apparatus and particularly concerns a new and improved mechanical gripper frame unit containing lifting mechanisms serving to lift As is known in the art, lifting devices of the type under consideration for lifting parallel-walled containers either engage. such containers at the four corners on the top or roof thereof by means of hooks or head-locking devices or engage such containers at certain locations at the bottomor floor thereof with the aid of clamps. Lifting devices of the type under consideration are typical of those found in the railroad and shipping industries.

Such prior art devices are generally quite complex both from a mechanical standpoint and from an operational standpoint since the lifting devices first must be positioned in alignment with the corners of the containers to be lifted, then such lifting devices must subsequently be actuated to actually grasp the corners of the containers, this process requiring two individual distinct time-consuming steps and normally requiring the utilization of a drive means or the like for each of the operations. Furthermore, such prior art devices, in addition to having a low working efficiency due to the requirements for positioning alignment and lifting as separate and distinct steps, exhibit some degree of unreliability since the possibility exists that a container, once lifted, would inadvertently fall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I Thus, a need exists in the art for a mechanical gripper frame unit having lifting devices which operates and is constructed in a fashion so as to eliminate the problems of the aforementioned prior art. It is the primary object of the instant invention to provide such a device which satisfies this need.

Other, more specific yet equally important objects ofthe instant invention are:

The provision of an improved lifting apparatus of the type which engages parallel-walled containers or the like at the upper corners thereof,'such apparatus exhibiting a high working efficiency and relative safety during the entire containerhandling operation;

The provision of an improved lifting apparatus which exhibits asimplified mechanical construction, particularly of the gripper frame unit portion thereof, and further provides an automatic and cooperative action between a gripper frame unit and the gripping devices thereon enabling engagement or grasping of the container;

The provision of an improved apparatus for lifting parallelwalled containers or the like which utilizes a rotary head locking means for actually grasping the container;

The provision of an improved apparatus for lifting parallelwalled containers or the like wherein the separate motions of displacing the locking means and subsequently causing rotation of the locking means once positioned is; automatically achieved through the utilization of a single or common drive unit;

The provision of an improved apparatus for lifting parallelwalled containers or the like wherein a container, once lifted, isprevented from releasing as long as such container is in suspension thereby substantially increasing the safety factor of operation.

Now, in order to implement the objectives enumerated above as well as to achieve other objects and advantages" which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the novel and improved apparatus for Iifting'parallel-walled containers or the like in accordance with the instant invention generally comprises a gripper frame unit having two pairs of rotary locking means thereon, each pair of rotary locking means being displaceable, generally in a longitudinal direction, so as to come into alignment with the upper corners of the container to be lifted. Subsequent to the positioning of the rotary locking means, such locking means are actuated by rotation such that the corners of the containers are actuallyfirmly gripped. The alignment or initial positioning of the rotary locking means as well as the rotation thereof to effect grasping of the container takes place through the utilization of a single, common drive element, operative in an automatic fashion, to achieve both functions in an efficient manner. Such common drive element, in a preferred embodiment of the in stant invention is contemplated to comprise a motor means having a chain drive operatively causing both the displacement of the locking means as well as actuation thereof.

Once the containers have been automatically grasped at the upper corners thereof and lifted, an inadvertent release of such containers, while such containers are suspended, is prevented by means of a head-locking means which serves to actually lock the rotary locking means in their closed or locked position. Thus, as long as the load is in suspension, the container load cannot fall.

Flnally, the unproductive operations associated with the prior art of having to adjust hooks or locks with respect to the appropriate locations and positions of the top of the container by means of centering the gripper frame unit, are generally;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view ofa gripper frame unit designed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in the longitudinal direction of the gripper frame unit ofFlG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the frame unit of FIG. 1 taken along the lines III-III and through one of both carriages or slides thereon;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 3 in which the frame unit is depicted as resting on the roof ofa container;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to the position shown in FIG. 3 in which the frame unit is slightly raised from the container during a lifting operation; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded enlarged view showing details of the rotary locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the novel improved apparatus for lifting parallel-walled containers or the like is depicted in an exemplary embodiment thereof. Such apparatus embodies a gripper frame unit which consists of two lengthwise supports or carriers 1 which may comprise I- beams, for example, such lengthwise supports or carriers being interconnected with one another by two transverse beam members 2 and being further interconnected with one another, at their ends, by two straps or beams 3. Two further straps or beams 4 are disposed between transverse beams 2. As depicted, locking notches or grooves 5 are disposed upon and supported by the upper flanges or legs of the lengthwise supports or carriers 1. In performing the lifting operation, the

Two movable slide or carriage members 7 are supported in .the lowerlegs or flanges of the lengthwise beams 1 for rolling movement thereupon. At the top end of carriages or slides 7,

inner and outer plate members 22 and 22' are respectively mounted. Between such plate members, a pair of rollers 23 are depicted as being adapted to travel upon and over the lower flange orv leg of the associated longitudinal support beams 1. Rotarylocking mechanisms or hooks B are provided and the locked or unlocked position thereof is marked by a mechanical stop mechanism preferably taking the form of a tiltable lever 9 A plate member 10 serves to retain the top or head of the rotary locking mechanism 8 in the locked or unlocked position. A displacement locking mechanism 11 actuated by electromagnet 12 is provided and is arranged at the outer plate member 22, and such locking mechanism enables the performance of the unlocking operation with respect to the rotary locking means 8 as will be discussed hereinbelow. Lateral fixed stop members 13 and tiltable stops 14 serve to permit an accurate positional arrangement of the gripper frame unit 1 on the top of the container.

Each of the carriages or slides 7 includes a horizontal shaft 15 driven by a sprocket wheel 16, such shaft, through the agency of a pair of beveled gears l7, causing rotation of the rotary locking mechanism or means 8. As best depicted in H08. 1 and 2, one or more drive devices or motors for driving endless chains 2l'are supported by the straps or beams 3 and 4. A motor reduction gearing or other suitable transmission means 18 is provided for each of the drive devices and serves' to drive the respective sprocket wheels 19 about which the endless chains 21 are respectively entrained. Each of the endless chains 21 are also entrained about respective deflecting wheels 20 and about respective sprocket wheels 16 of the carriages or slides 7. Each of the slides 7 are displaced symmetrically with respect to the transverse-symmetry plane of the overall frame unit and are longitudinally placed into the proper positions which correspond to the dimensions of the container which is to be lifted by excitation of the electromagnet 12 which serves to release locking devices 11 from their respective locking grooves 5 and further by means of switching in the motor-driven transmissions 18 serving to drive the endless chains 21.

Referring now to H0. 3, the rotary locking means 8 are, at this time, locked by means of plates 10 and thus prevent rotation of the sprocket wheels 16 via shaft member 15. Thus, the endless chains 21 serve to entrain and move the carriages or slides 7 only. When the carriages or slides 7 approach their final desired positional disposition, electromagnets 12 are deenergized and permit locking devices 11 to fall into the wedge surfaces of the locking notches or grooves 5. The final displacement of the carriages or slides 7 occurs then in an impulselike fashion. Finally, the locking devices 11 actually fall into the notches and then serve to fixedly retain both of the carriages or slides 7 in the desired ultimate position. At the same time, the locking devices 11 serve to shut off the drive motors and transmissions 18 by means of a terminal switch 49.

As best shown now,'in FIG. 4, the rotary locking means 8 as well as the entire frame unit is now exactly centered over the upper corner recesses of the'container to be lifted by means of fixed stop members 13 and tiltable stops 14''. The rotary locking means or devices 8 are then unlocked as the plates 10 are upwardly displaced and thus,-sprdcketwheels 16 are released. To effect the actual gripping of the'-c0nt'ainer, chain 21 is again placed into motion by means of the motors and transmissions 18 serving torotate shaft l5 and thus rotate the rotary locking means 8 with asimiiltanedus slipping or switching of the tiltable lever 9. .Whe,n the rotary locking devices or means have assumed their final locked position, the current flow to the motors is interrupted and the container is securely grasped.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a particularly novel safety feature of the instant invention can be better appreciated. When the gripper frame unit is raised and lifts slightly from the container, lates 10 serve to slightly drop downwardly once again and re ease or free the terminal switches 50 and the rotary locking means 8 again serve to lock. Accordingly, unlocking of the locking means is prevented as long as the container load is held in suspension.

When it is desired to release the now suspended container, the same operation as described above occurs in identical manner but in a reverse sequence of steps. When the rotary locking means or devices 8 have again reached their unlocked position, current flow to the motors is once again interrupted.

It should now be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved. Accordingly,

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for engaging and lifting containers said apparatus comprising: a support frame; two pairs of rotary locking means mounted on said support frame, each respective pair of locking means being lengthwise displaceable towards and away from one another to vary the distance therebetween: and a common drive means including a common endless chain means for displacing each pair of rotary locking means towards and away from one another and for effecting rotational movement of said rotary locking means; means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotary locking means; and wherein said common drive means further comprises a transmission means, a deflecting roller mounted on said support frame. a sprocket wheel associated with a respective pair of said rotary locking means, said endless chain means being driven by said transmission means and entraining said deflecting roller and said sprocket wheel, said endless chain means effecting a) rotational movement of said pair of rotary locking means when said means for preventing rotation are inoperable and b) displacement of said pair of rotary locking means when said means for preventing rotation are operable.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotary locking means comprises gravity-operated locking plates movable downwardly under the influence of gravity into engagement with the associated rotary locking means thereof to prevent rotation thereof.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means for centering said support frame in the lengthwise direction, said means comprising tiltable terminal steps which are freely pivotablc under the influence of gravity in a plane transverse to the lengthwise direction of said support frame. 

1. An apparatus for engaging and lifting containers said apparatus comprising: a support frame; two pairs of rotary locking means mounted on said support frame, each respective pair of locking means being lengthwise displaceable towards and away from one another to vary the distance therebetween: and a common drive means including a common endless chain means for displacing each pair of rotary locking means towards and away from one another and for effecting rotational movement of said rotary locking means; means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotary locking means; and wherein said common drive means further comprises a transmission means, a deflecting roller mounted on said support frame, a sprocket wheel associated with a respective pair of said rotary locking means, said endless chain means being driven by said transmission means and entraining said deflecting roller and said sprocket wheel, said endless chain means effecting a) rotational movement of said pair of rotary locking means when said means for preventing rotation are inoperable and b) displacement of said pair of rotary locking means when said means for preventing rotation are operable.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotary locking means comprises gravity-operated locking plates movable downwardly under the influence of gravity into engagement with the associated rotary locking means thereof to prevent rotation theReof.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means for centering said support frame in the lengthwise direction, said means comprising tiltable terminal steps which are freely pivotable under the influence of gravity in a plane transverse to the lengthwise direction of said support frame. 